Red Bull takes Mercedes protest into account: Horner flies back immediately

Red Bull Contentpool

F1 News

13 December 2021 at 12:03
Last update 13 December 2021 at 14:45
88
  • GPblog.com

While Mercedes reportedly want to withdraw the protests, Christian Horner is preparing for the worst. According to Sky Sports, the Red Bull Racing team boss has flown straight back to Milton Keynes from Abu Dhabi.

The world title seems almost impossible for Max Verstappen to win. Mercedes submitted two protests after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but both were rejected by the FIA. Mercedes announced that they would protest against this decision, but on Monday afternoon it was announced that they would probably change their mind.

Horner back to the factory

At Red Bull they are not so sure about this and preparations are being made in case it does come to a case. Craig Slater of Sky Sports wanted to speak to Horner on Monday morning but found out that the team boss had already left for Milton Keynes. All of Red Bull, led by Dietrich Mateschitz, is now putting everything in place to defend Verstappen's title.

According to Slater Mercedes has little time to challenge the decision. Thursday is the FIA gala and if Verstappen gets the world Championship trophy there is nothing Mercedes can do. The Germans will therefore have to be quick with their defence, but just like The Times reported earlier, Slater doesn't seem to expect Mercedes to actually go through with the protest.